When you wish upon a star...

The boys are taking one last splash in the pool in the warm Florida night and I just got done packing everything up for our voyage home tomorrow.  While I surely and positively will miss and long for sunshine like we've had here, along with the fun adventures we've had the opportunity to partake in, I am longing even more to be a complete family with my baby girl in my arms once again.  Mom guilt was in full effect on this trip--especially yesterday at THE Disney World as I saw many a parent with tiny babes in tow.  I know it was easier without her, but was it necessary?  I beat myself up about it, but in the end it was all for Everett--a trip full of memories for him because we never got to do one last BIG thing before he was no longer the only child.  I do hope he holds on to some of the fun we've had while we've been here and cherishes these memories for many many years!

First airplane ride...

Orlando and Downtown Disney with Auntie Bev and Uncle Norm...

After the monsoon--seriously soaked!

First time to the ocean...

Disney World Adventure...

...Dreams really do come true.

Happenings.

Blogging with two kids has become nearly impossible.  Hm, I wonder why that is.  Nope, no I don't.  Kids are time suckers.  Cute, funny, best little time suckers ever, but alas, they suck...er, time that is.  Posts  are few and far between, lacking on content and heavy on the pictures.  And so it is, another post of pictures and tid bits of happenings all thanks to the kids both going down early tonight. Kudos to the mama's that have energy and the creative output to do it daily!

Baby G's dedication.

Other happenings:

-We're going to Disney World next week!
-G is officially over a half a year now.  Where. Did. The. Time. Go?
-I need serious gardening help.  I have a real backyard now and now that spring is around the corner--at least I thought it was, I am desperate to get things figured out for planting--what...how...when...so many things I don't know!
-I'm tossing around the idea of writing a children's book.
-One of my BFF's is pregnant and it fills me with joy to think of!  Its such a cool experience to see people you love so much go through such a great journey!
-I've lost 15 lbs since mid January!
-A birthday girls' weekend is in the works and I. cannot. wait.
-New products are being created for the next Red Door Store sale in May!
-I've started burning my incense which means I'm ready for summer and windows to be open with a fresh breeze flowing through.
-I had my fly down most of the day yesterday.  Luckily most of the afternoon, I was wearing also my jacket because I was freezing so hopefully it went unnoticed.  Awkward.

I have no clever title for this post, so just read it.

So, I figured I better start updating a wee more often than I have been or else I may have a jealous and saucy tween on my hands some day, seeing that her brother got all the spotlight. 

A few things we've been up to over the past couple months:

-Everett is learning more and more at day care and we couldn't be happier with his "teacher"!  He comes home and sings us the days of the week, talks about letters and shows more and more interest in different foods.  It's amazing, and I love it.

-Greyleigh sounds like a baby velociraptor.  She's a tricky girl.  Half of the time, her squawks and squeals are out of delight and the other half they are in pain from teething or just being pissed that no one is paying attention to her.  Always keeping us on our feet, that girl.

-Curtis got promoted to full time in his job, which means more money, vacay time, and more great experience for his next career---whatever that may be.

-I began a lifestyle change towards being fit and healthy eating.  I've been working out 6 days a week for the last 5 weeks and have been eating about 80/20 clean and whole foods!  It's been easier than I anticipated and I'm kinda liking the changes that are going on and how great and healthy I feel.  I have another "challenge" coming up in a couple weeks that I am excited to dominate in. 

-We've been trying to have G try her solids with rice cereal and I'm not sure if the past few feeding have been too successful as I'm pretty sure most of it was just stuck on her face and not in her mouth.   We've got a little work to do on that next milestone.

-Greyleigh gets dedicated this Sunday.  We are so blessed to have her as a gift in our lives and we are so overjoyed to have the opportunity to publicly dedicate her to Jesus and pray blessings over her.

-Everett is still very obsessed with Sandlot, and Benny "The Jet" Rodriquez.  He about jumped out of his skin in excitement last week when he saw Bruno Mars on TV at the Super Bowl, because in his mind, they are the same person.  Of course.  Not only can Benny play ball, but he's got mad moves and a voice like buttah!

-This last week was National School Counselors week and was finally publically proclaimed by our governor in MN (this, thanks to much of the hard work of our state counselors association and even one of my very esteemed team members!)  It makes me so proud to serve my school in this position and I'm so glad it is being recognized.

Pictures have been few and far between--a fail on my part--but here are a few highlights:

 

For more "raw" snapshots of our life--check out my Instagram feed: lauralilarson